Cruising the Dream on our 1st cruise ever!!! (5 Night Double Dip)

[cjlvsccm]

It was too funny. She could have had as many 'free' ones as she wanted. But then again I'm glad we didn't feel the need to 'get our money's worth' of food. I am in no need of any extra pounds.

I know what you mean there, too. But, strangely enough, I came back from our cruise 5lbs less than the day we left!!! I know I was much more active on the ship than at home/work. But still, ALL THAT FOOD we ate!!!

 

[franandaj]

Great updates! So sorry the cruise is over but at least you are at AKL!

How long is the ride from PC to AKL? Isn't like an hour or something? I'm really surprised they didn't have a video playing of the World since that's where everyone was headed

I really want to try Sanaa! I've never (at least, i'm pretty sure I haven't) tried Indian food and I would love too. DH however, doesn't seem that interested.

The restaurant looks very wonderfully themed though!

Alicia,
You and I should go get some Indian food! We have a really good Indian place down at Maruna Pacifica where the large Ralph's on PCH is located. They have a fabulous lunch buffet!

I need to update you...so I'll be headed over to your TR next!

 

[Pinkocto]

After relaxing and watching the animals for a little while we headed out. We needed to go to the DVC center at SSR, so jumped on the first bus to show up, Epcot, and as luck would have it there was a SSR bus waiting. Perfect timing.

The reason we needed to go to the DVC center is because when I bought the new points on the ship they also gave me 18 Fast Passes which we needed to pick up. I also wanted to see if they could help with my point situation. I don’t know if they always give the previous year’s points when a person buys a new contract, but they did that last January when I first bought in and they did the same this time as well. The problem was that there was no way I could use them before they expired. For my upcoming September trip I borrowed from 2013 and I was hoping they could put my 2013 points back and use the 2011 points instead. I figured it was a long shot but it couldn’t hurt to ask.

We started with the CMs at the front desk, who were very helpful with the FPs, we only took 9 and left the rest for another trip. They did not think it was possible I could do what I wanted with my points, but they offered for me to talk with an expert which I happily accepted. The magnificent Mario came out to help us out, and he thought it was possible but we needed to call member services. It was the same member services everybody calls, but I really don’t think things would have worked out if Mario hadn’t facilitated the conversation. He explained the whole situation to Jasmin and while she was trying to change things around we had a lovely conversation with him. We chatted about DVC, Disney, family, food, at some point he realized he was chatting about things he hadn’t meant to say, mom and I seem to have that affect on people I just love how Disney brings people together.

Probably 15-20 minutes later Jasmin came back, she had us on hold the whole time, and told us everything had been worked out. I can’t tell you how glad I was. Ever since deciding to buy on that first day of the cruise in the back of my mind I was worried I wouldn’t be able to use the extra points. All my 2013 points were back in 2013, and the 2011 points had been banked into 2012 and partially used for the September trip. She did have to make totally separate bookings, I had two deluxe concierge studios at AKV, and they were exactly as before just using the new points.

With my heart now lighter Mario guided us to the icecream parlor and after thanking him profusely we parted ways. Mom had coffee icecream while I chose a sugar free fruit bar that was unfortunately frozen solid so I saved it for later. While mom was enjoying her icecream we chatted with the CMs in the parlor. I was gushing about how much I love DVC and asked how they like working for Disney. One of them said she loved it while the other said it was just a job and if you like Disney don’t ever work for them because it will change your view of the company. I was glad she was honest, but it still left me wondering why she didn’t look for another job if she wasn’t too happy where she was… Oh well, off to Epcot.

We had a nice private ride to Epcot in one of the red DVC vans, and of course chatted with the CM. She had purchased DVC quite early on, 93 or 94 I think. She said I didn’t want to know the perk of signing up so early so I didn’t push her, but from what I’m reading on the OKW thread I think people got free APs for 5 years. Whatever it was I’m sure it was very nice.

We were heading to Epcot first because Starship was playing in the American Garden Theater and I just had to see them. Every weekend during the Flower and Garden Festival they have ‘Flower Power’ concerts with a different singer/band every weekend. We had about an hour before the next concert, they have three each day, so we headed to Soarin’ which is mom’s ultimate favorite ride. Of course I took pictures along the way.

Mom loves palms so pointed out all the different ones Epcot had. There are many more in the future.

I had never seen this stage of growth before and was fascinated.

It was right around this time that I realized I must have a better zoom next trip. I think this camera did a great job, but I really would like something more. I tried forever to get a close up of this and the best one is cut off. We just thought it was so neat how all the flowers were coming out.

I had never noticed this tree before, it’s right outside The Land pavilion.

And look at these thorns!

We didn’t get to the Circle of Life this trip, but Pumba looked so cheerful I couldn’t resist.

The standby line for Soarin’ was 90 minutes so I was very glad we had our DVC FPs. What we had were cards that act like your ticket but give you a FP for immediate use, not a time interval for later. The only problem was they can only be used if there are FPs to get and they were ‘sold out’ for the day. We didn’t have 90 minutes to wait in standby, we had a concert to get to, so we did Living with the Land instead. We love that attraction so it was no hardship to change plans, but I knew mom would have liked to do Soarin’ as the first ride of the trip. We would just have to come back.

LWTL was a walk on which is always nice, and I think we had the boat to ourselves so I didn't bother anybody with all the pictures I took. I hope not at least.

 

[Pinkocto]

 

[Pinkocto]

cute lettuce spelling out Epcot

After our wonderful tour of the green houses we headed outside and toward the American Garden Theater via Norway so we could pick up some goodies I'd been wanting to try for a while.

We stopped by the butterfly tent on the way.

some of these petals are not the best, but I thought they looked like little aliens

 

[dgbg100106]

I had never seen this stage of growth before and was fascinated.

Fern Curls.....

So I have to tell you that I had not really noticed fern curls before, but when I got married, the florist was trying to come up with a additional flower to add to my bouquet, and she talked me into fern curls.

They turned out so beautiful, I will always have a soft part in my heart for fern curls....

you can kinda see them here...

 

[dgbg100106]

brussel sprouts are my favorite veggie, and I love to find them still on the stalks!

 

[franandaj]

Nice update, I tried to respond the other night when I was cooking dinner, and was afraid that I dripped water on my phone, so I gave up!

I was chuckling at your fascination with the bird of paradise. Do you not have them in Maryland? We have them all over our yard and I have used them as etudes in my photography, they are very pretty.

Nice shots of all the flowers and I especially liked the one of the caterpillar!

brussel sprouts are my favorite veggie, and I love to find them still on the stalks!

I was wondering what those little suckers were!

 

[Pinkocto]

Fern Curls.....

So I have to tell you that I had not really noticed fern curls before, but when I got married, the florist was trying to come up with a additional flower to add to my bouquet, and she talked me into fern curls.

They turned out so beautiful, I will always have a soft part in my heart for fern curls....

you can kinda see them here...

Ahhh, yes I can see them, a beautiful addition to the bouquet. And what a lovely wedding picture!

I finally tried brussel sprouts for the first time recently and they were delicious! I've seen them at Trader Joes on the stalk, so I thought it was fun to see them in Disney. Every time I go on LWTL there are new plants, at least I didn't see them last time.

 

[Pinkocto]

Nice update, I tried to respond the other night when I was cooking dinner, and was afraid that I dripped water on my phone, so I gave up!

I was chuckling at your fascination with the bird of paradise. Do you not have them in Maryland? We have them all over our yard and I have used them as etudes in my photography, they are very pretty.

Nice shots of all the flowers and I especially liked the one of the caterpillar!



I was wondering what those little suckers were!

We don't have them here, it's too cold. The only time I see them are in flower arrangements or when I go south. They're so beautiful. All over your yard, I'm jealous

Thank you , I thought that caterpillar was so cute.

I probably should have done captions, but I was so mad at the DIS. Again, I had a whole update typed up, and I had even been 'copying' it at regular intervals, and then when I went to post it I had to log in again since it had been a while, and lost the whole thing. Even with copying the whole time, the last thing I copied was a picture from photobucket so I lost it. I have decided to now type updates in Word and save them and then copy and past them over here.

 

[dgbg100106]

I was wondering what those little suckers were!

don't they have them in California?

 

[dgbg100106]

Ahhh, yes I can see them, a beautiful addition to the bouquet. And what a lovely wedding picture!

I finally tried brussel sprouts for the first time recently and they were delicious! I've seen them at Trader Joes on the stalk, so I thought it was fun to see them in Disney. Every time I go on LWTL there are new plants, at least I didn't see them last time.

Thanks, and not sure how much you see Annapolis, but that is the Naval academy right behind us...

I find them in trader Joes and whole foods on the stalks, but not always...

 

[Pinkocto]

Thanks, and not sure how much you see Annapolis, but that is the Naval academy right behind us...

I find them in trader Joes and whole foods on the stalks, but not always...

I don't get to Annapolis very often, usually only to go to the Chart House for special occasions. Thanks, I was trying to figure out where that was taken.

 

[franandaj]

We don't have them here, it's too cold. The only time I see them are in flower arrangements or when I go south. They're so beautiful. All over your yard, I'm jealous

Thank you , I thought that caterpillar was so cute.

I probably should have done captions, but I was so mad at the DIS. Again, I had a whole update typed up, and I had even been 'copying' it at regular intervals, and then when I went to post it I had to log in again since it had been a while, and lost the whole thing. Even with copying the whole time, the last thing I copied was a picture from photobucket so I lost it. I have decided to now type updates in Word and save them and then copy and past them over here.

We have two in our front yard, and about four down the side of the building.

As far as losing your posts...I have two words for you: Microsoft Word! Saves a lot of frustration.

don't they have them in California?

California? Yes. My house? Never. I wanted to try making them for me and my mom last Thanksgiving, and Fran told me she would try not to wretch while I cooked them. I related this conversation to her and she said, "OK, I'll buy myself a gas mask so that you can cook them."

 

[Leshaface]

Great updates!

So there is transportation to get from Jambo House to the main house. Is it too far to walk between both places? I didn't know there was a bus in between the two.

Very happy to hear that everything worked out in your favor for your points. Gotta love Disney CM's!

I think your camera did a great job zooming in. Especially on those last few pictures you took.

 

[dgbg100106]

We have two in our front yard, and about four down the side of the building.

As far as losing your posts...I have two words for you: Microsoft Word! Saves a lot of frustration.



California? Yes. My house? Never. I wanted to try making them for me and my mom last Thanksgiving, and Fran told me she would try not to wretch while I cooked them. I related this conversation to her and she said, "OK, I'll buy myself a gas mask so that you can cook them."

They don't stink.... Now a turnip stinks....

But we cut them in half, sprinkle a little olive oil on them, along with salt and pepper... Roast in oven for for 20 minutes at 375 degrees.

Oh so good...

 

[Pinkocto]

Great updates!

So there is transportation to get from Jambo House to the main house. Is it too far to walk between both places? I didn't know there was a bus in between the two.

Very happy to hear that everything worked out in your favor for your points. Gotta love Disney CM's!

I think your camera did a great job zooming in. Especially on those last few pictures you took.

Thank you so much

Oh yes, they didn't use to, but there is now a 12 seat van that goes between Jambo House and Kidani Village. You can walk also, it takes about 10 minutes. And, all the park buses start at Kidani first and then pick up Jambo House guests, and if you're at Jambo House the DTD bus goes to Kidani. There are numerous ways to get between the two.

Those CMs were so wonderful! The reason I even thought to ask is because they were so helpful with Alison's situations that I hoped something could be worked out. It would have been heartbreaking to loose all those points.

I appreciate your complements I was trying to figure out all the settings the whole trip.

 

[Pinkocto]

We have two in our front yard, and about four down the side of the building.

As far as losing your posts...I have two words for you: Microsoft Word! Saves a lot of frustration.

Yes, I finally figured that out after shedding quite a few tears. I know that's silly but I was so frustrated at loosing everything yet again.

California? Yes. My house? Never. I wanted to try making them for me and my mom last Thanksgiving, and Fran told me she would try not to wretch while I cooked them. I related this conversation to her and she said, "OK, I'll buy myself a gas mask so that you can cook them."

This sounds exactly like my dad and beets. Too funny.

 

[Pinkocto]

But we cut them in half, sprinkle a little olive oil on them, along with salt and pepper... Roast in oven for for 20 minutes at 375 degrees.

Oh so good...

That sounds delicious!

 

[dgbg100106]

That sounds delicious!

my DH would not even look at them, and then I roasted them and once they get a little dark brown on the edges, it is like roasting peppers, you want the dark spots, he loved them.